Although a sequel to the Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling buddy-cop crime comedy The Nice Guys may never come to fruition, the new HBO Max retro crime series Duster offers a worthy alternative. Both oozing with 1970s style and sound, The Nice Guys and Duster offer similar story and aesthetic qualities that should make fans of the former interested in the latter. Duster premiered exclusively on HBO Max on May 15, 2025, with new episodes releasing every Thursday night until July 3rd. The series is co-created by LaToya Morgan, known for The Walking Dead and Shameless, and acclaimed writer/director J.J. Abrams.
It’s been nearly 10 years since The Nice Guys, directed and co-written by Shane Black, hit theaters on May 20, 2016. While interest in The Nice Guys 2 has been high over the years, neither Gosling, Crowe, Black, nor Warner Bros. has offered any updates or confirmations. While The Nice Guys was a critical success, earning a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes score of 91%, the film earned a modest $71.26 million at the 2016 worldwide box office, becoming the 103rd highest-grossing film of the year. Gosling went on to star in blockbusters like Blade Runner 2049 and Barbie, while Crowe joined the MCU as Zeus in Thor: Love and Thunder.
Duster Is Another Great ’70s-Set Crime Thriller Like The Nice Guys
Duster & The Nice Guys Both Represent The Fun Classic Stlye Of The 1970s
While The Nice Guys leans more into the action comedy genre, Duster has plenty of light-hearted moments mixed into his thrilling crime drama plot. The biggest link between The Nice Guys and Duster is that they are both crime thrillers starring detective protagonists set in the 1970s. What’s more, both are accompanied by outstanding soundtracks full of classic pop, funk, and Motown hits of the era. Both The Nice Guys and Dusterauthentically recreate the vintage feel of 70s cop-centered films and TV shows, which makes Duster the perfect replacement for people who like The Nice Guys and are still waiting for a sequel.
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Duster Season 1 Review: Come For Josh Holloway, Stay For Rachel Hilson In HBO Max’s ’70s-Fueled Crime Thriller Joyride
Duster masterfully balances classic thrills and timeless heart. It’s tremendously fun TV when it stays in control and keeps both hands on the wheel.
Much of The Nice Guys’ acclaim is based on the sharp chemistry and hilarious banter between Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling. Duster also has a solid leading duo with Josh Holloway’s gangster getaway driver Jim Ellis and newly appointed FBI agent Nina Hayes, played by Rachel Hilson. Jim works for the so-called “Al Capone of the Southwest,” Ezra Saxon (played by Keith David), who Nina suspects murdered Jim’s brother, Joey, and framed it as an accidental explosion. While Duster season 1 mostly takes place in Arizona and The Nice Guys is set in Los Angeles, there is plenty of cultural and thematic overlap due to their shared time period.
Duster Has Comparable Critical Acclaim To The Nice Guys
Both Have Rotten Tomatoes Scores In The Low 90s
Both The Nice Guys and Duster have received critical acclaim, with Duster earning a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score compared to the 91% earned by The Nice Guys. Additionally, both also have solid audience reviews, with Duster currently at 84%, slightly above the 79% of The Nice Guys. Critics praised The Nice Guys for honoring classic buddy comedies and its sharp chemistry between its leads, Crowe and Gosling. Duster has received similar praise for its vintage charm and its winning duo in Holloway and Hilson.
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Ben Travers of IndieWire writes in his Duster season 1 review, “Not all of it works and Season 1 never kicks into fourth gear, but “Duster” gets so many of the little things right, it’s easy to set your quibbles aside and just enjoy the ride.” I wrote in my review for Screen Rant, “Duster masterfully balances classic thrills and timeless heart. It’s tremendously fun TV when it stays in control and keeps both hands on the wheel.” Fans of The Nice Guys will almost certainly find something to like about Duster because the aesthetic and critical similarities are undeniable.
